Jig/frog Rod, What To Look For?

[cjam93]

Hey guys so I want to get a new rod that I can use for a jig or a frog. I will be throwing both 1/4 and 3/8 jigs. What size/action/power should I look for? Thanks!

[Diggy]

Usually for most people

 

 7-7ft6, MH-H, F or XF

[cjam93]

Thanks for the reply! I have done some more thinking about it and have another question. My frogging is skipping under overhangs or around wood cover. I dont have any pads or weeds so the super heavy rod is not as important. So I was wondering if a shorter rod would be good for that. Tonight I found a St. Croix Rage 6'8 MH F that I really liked the feel of. It has a softer tip than their 7ft mh, and I like the shorter rod for walking baits. Would this rod be a good pick for what I want? Also I am new to St. Croix rods so I do not really know about their blanks. The blanks in the rage are SCIII graphite. What would be a good comparison to that for say a IM blank number wise?

 

Thanks again!

[kikstand454]

^ I think this is a perfect rod for what you described doing with it.

[cjam93]

^ I think this is a perfect rod for what you described doing with it.

Thanks for the reply! Do you have any experience with the Rage rods? I have read through some different reviews of them and they seem very hit or miss for most people. Just holding them in the store I love how they feel, but some of the negative reviews are very negative. 

[kikstand454]

I have zero experience with them. I've not even seen one in real life.

That being said, the parameters you gave match the rod fairly well, and if you liked it in the store- well..... there you go.

Inquire about the stores warranty, St croix's warranty, and anything your credit card may warranty. Then go and beat the tar out of it the first weekend. Catch as many fish as you can and put it to the test. If it survives and you still like how it performs- then you have your answer.

[cjam93]

I have zero experience with them. I've not even seen one in real life.

That being said, the parameters you gave match the rod fairly well, and if you liked it in the store- well..... there you go.

Inquire about the stores warranty, St croix's warranty, and anything your credit card may warranty. Then go and beat the tar out of it the first weekend. Catch as many fish as you can and put it to the test. If it survives and you still like how it performs- then you have your answer.

Haha that sounds like the way to go to me then thanks!

[Loop_Dad]

Yup, I agree 6'8 MH F sounds good for what you want. I too prefer shorter rods, however Diggy's right the norm these days are over 7'+. One of the benefit of longer rod is, if everything else is equal, you can cast further. I used to prefer longer rods when I was 50/50 bank/boat fishermen.

[BassinLou]

I have zero experience with them. I've not even seen one in real life.

That being said, the parameters you gave match the rod fairly well, and if you liked it in the store- well..... there you go.

Inquire about the stores warranty, St croix's warranty, and anything your credit card may warranty. Then go and beat the tar out of it the first weekend. Catch as many fish as you can and put it to the test. If it survives and you still like how it performs- then you have your answer.

 

As far as what you described about the places you will be fishing. A 6'8" will suit you. Those over hangs are tougher to maneuver with longer rods. Eventhough a longer rod will help you in frogging and jigging applications. But you have to protect your equipment first. As far as Rage rods go. My goto frogging rod was a 7ft 3" H Rage. I frogged with it for a year. I feel this rod has its advantages and disadvantages. After 2 Rage rods were sent back to St. Croix for various things, I decided to part from the Rage series and upgrade to the St. Croix LTB's never looked back. I know many members on here love their Rage Rods. Maybe you will be one of them. Goodluck and enjoy. 

[cjam93]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I ended up getting a 6'10 MH F tatula. I looked more into the Rage rod and realized it was the same price as Tatulas that I already know I really like from the 7'1 mh xf I have used as well as they have better guides than the Rage rods. The reason I was leaning towards the Rage was I could pick it up locally. Either way I finally decided to just stay with what I knew I liked and order the Tat. From TW with 2 day shipping it was only $155 so I cant complain, I didn't realize how great their shipping prices are.

[cjam93]

Hey guys quick update, I got out tonight and was able to use the new combo some. I ended up going with a 7.3:1 Tatula with the 6'10 mh f tatula rod. I LOVE the combo. I threw a frog most the night and was able to get some pretty nice skips with it which is something I usually struggle with. Also you guys were right, a spinnerbait has no drag at all! I have been throwing spinnerbaits on a 6'6 M Carbonlite with a 6.3:1 Tatula and felt like I was fishing 20ft+ crankbaits. I guess the MH rod makes the difference, either way it handled 3/8 double willow spinnerbaits like a champ. Daiwa has really hit it out of the park with the Tatula line up.

[BassinLou]

Hey guys quick update, I got out tonight and was able to use the new combo some. I ended up going with a 7.3:1 Tatula with the 6'10 mh f tatula rod. I LOVE the combo. I threw a frog most the night and was able to get some pretty nice skips with it which is something I usually struggle with. Also you guys were right, a spinnerbait has no drag at all! I have been throwing spinnerbaits on a 6'6 M Carbonlite with a 6.3:1 Tatula and felt like I was fishing 20ft+ crankbaits. I guess the MH rod makes the difference, either way it handled 3/8 double willow spinnerbaits like a champ. Daiwa has really hit it out of the park with the Tatula line up.

 

Sounds like you picked a winning combination. Enjoy!! 

[new2BC4bass]

Hey guys quick update, I got out tonight and was able to use the new combo some. I ended up going with a 7.3:1 Tatula with the 6'10 mh f tatula rod. I LOVE the combo. I threw a frog most the night and was able to get some pretty nice skips with it which is something I usually struggle with. Also you guys were right, a spinnerbait has no drag at all! I have been throwing spinnerbaits on a 6'6 M Carbonlite with a 6.3:1 Tatula and felt like I was fishing 20ft+ crankbaits. I guess the MH rod makes the difference, either way it handled 3/8 double willow spinnerbaits like a champ. Daiwa has really hit it out of the park with the Tatula line up.

I am envious.  Been wanting to try both the Tatula reel and Tatula rods.  Thanks to the T3 1016 closeout prices, neither has made it into my arsenal.............yet. 

 

I throw spinnerbaits a lot.  3/8 and heavier get used on a MH.  5/16 and lighter go on a Medium.

 

I think you made a great choice. 

[flyfisher]

Thanks for the reply! I have done some more thinking about it and have another question. My frogging is skipping under overhangs or around wood cover. I dont have any pads or weeds so the super heavy rod is not as important. So I was wondering if a shorter rod would be good for that. Tonight I found a St. Croix Rage 6'8 MH F that I really liked the feel of. It has a softer tip than their 7ft mh, and I like the shorter rod for walking baits. Would this rod be a good pick for what I want? Also I am new to St. Croix rods so I do not really know about their blanks. The blanks in the rage are SCIII graphite. What would be a good comparison to that for say a IM blank number wise?

 

Thanks again!

I have that exact rod and use it for the same purposes you are looking to and have been very happy with it.  I own three rage rods and have zero complaints for what it is worth.

[cjam93]

I am envious.  Been wanting to try both the Tatula reel and Tatula rods.  Thanks to the T3 1016 closeout prices, neither has made it into my arsenal.............yet. 

 

I throw spinnerbaits a lot.  3/8 and heavier get used on a MH.  5/16 and lighter go on a Medium.

 

I think you made a great choice. 

You should pick some up without a doubt! I now have 6 of the reels and 3 of the rods. The reels are all amazing, one of them is the Type R which is my favorite. They are all amazing. I have the 6'10 MH F which I already love, and I have had two of the 7'1MF XF that I have been using for t-rig and carolina rig. They are so sensitive and light. I did pick up their 7'1 MH R for squarebills but I didnt like that one. I attribue it to not liking any mh power for any of my cranking though so you may love that one too.  The T3's are really nice also though! I dont think if its Daiwa you can really go wrong.

 

I have that exact rod and use it for the same purposes you are looking to and have been very happy with it.  I own three rage rods and have zero complaints for what it is worth.

Thanks for the advice! I have already picked up something else for this, but I will keep it in mind for the future thanks!

[MardukFIN]

Hello!

 

Im planning to buy new rod for pike jigging, and what i've looked for is St. Croix Mojo Bass Slop-n-frog.

 

I've one question: How big baits you can cast with it? its for 3/8-1,5oz but how much over it can be cast? Needed this for  0,5 - 2,5 oz lures.

 

Swim Bait- Mojo is too stiff for me. I've allrd got Mojo Musky for bigger baits.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I'm not as quick to lump jigs & frogs together when talking rods. There are some compromises to be made. You want a jig rod to be sensitive, fast action and powerful enough to get fish out of whatever cover you encounter. I want a frog rod to have enough tip to load and cast some distance and then be powerful enough to haul'em in. Sensitivity isn't that big a deal. If you're going to do both with the same rod you should decide if it's a jig rod you can throw a frog with, or a frog rod sensitive enough to jig with. Then go from there.